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Mark Burchill
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Mark James Burchill (born 18 August 1980) is a Scottish former professional football player and coach. He played for Scottish clubs Celtic, Dundee, Hearts, Dunfermline Athletic, Kilmarnock and Livingston, and in England for Birmingham City, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United. He was capped six times for the Scotland national team.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Celtic
[edit]Burchill was born in Broxburn and grew up in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. He attended St Mary's Academy, Bathgate followed by St. Margaret's Academy, Livingston, where his footballing ability became apparent. Burchill began his career at Scottish club Celtic for the 1997–98 season. In his first three seasons with the club he scored 20 Scottish Premier League goals in only 17 starts, with 33 appearances as a substitute. This prolific return saw him gain a place in the Scotland national football team, making his debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina in October 1999. While playing for Celtic against Jeunesse Esch of Luxembourg in the qualifying round of the 2000-01 UEFA Cup, Burchill scored the fastest-ever hat-trick in a European club match.[4] However, successive managers failed to see the Scotland international as a part of the first team picture. The signing of £6 million Chris Sutton further pushed Burchill down the pecking order, and in September 2000 he moved to Birmingham City on a three-month loan, making his debut in a 2–0 home win over Tranmere Rovers.[5][6] Burchill went on to score five goals in 17 games (10 as a substitute) during the spell.[7] Birmingham wanted to complete the deal but were unable to agree personal terms with the player.[8] In February 2001, Burchill chose to go on another three-month loan until the season's end at Ipswich Town,[9] scoring once against Bradford City.[10]
Portsmouth
[edit]During the off-season Burchill was signed by Portsmouth for a £600,000 fee.[11] He showed his potential immediately at his new club. After making his debut against Stockport County he scored twice in his next game, against Grimsby Town.[12][13] However, a knee injury suffered after less than a month put him out of action for 10 months.[14] He recovered in time to start the 2002–03 season in fantastic form, but under new manager Harry Redknapp he fell down the pecking order and was made available for transfer.[15] He did however contribute 18 appearances and four goals as they won the First Division Championship and promotion to the Premier League.[16] He was loaned out to Dundee from February 2003 to the end of the season,[17] and helped them reach the Scottish Cup Final, in which they lost narrowly to Rangers.[18] During the 2003–04 season he was loaned out to firstly to Wigan Athletic, and then Sheffield Wednesday.[19][20] However, he failed to score for either club and neither moved to make the deal permanent.[21][22] Starting the 2004–05 season as fifth-choice striker, Burchill went on loan to Rotherham United, hoping to impress enough to restart his career. However, after only a month, and one goal against Crewe Alexandra,[23] he was injured and returned to Portsmouth,[24] where he was pushed further down the pecking order by the return to fitness of long-term injured striker Vincent Péricard.[25]
Hearts and Dunfermline Athletic
[edit]On 28 January 2005, Burchill was allowed to leave Portsmouth on a free transfer after spending two years out of favour. He chose to return to Scotland and sign for Hearts, where he remained until the end of the season.[26] On 6 July 2005, he joined Dunfermline Athletic[27] where he scored 12 league goals in 31 games in his first season, despite the club struggling in the bottom half of the table. He signed a year's extension to his contract with the Pars in December 2006.[28] In April 2008, Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre announced that Burchill had been offered a new contract but had decided to leave the Scottish First Division side in order to "pursue other avenues".[29]
Rotherham United and Kilmarnock
[edit]On 11 June 2008, Burchill signed a two-year deal with Rotherham United, where he previously enjoyed a loan spell during their Championship campaign.[2][30] He scored his first goal for the Millers in the 1–1 draw away at Dagenham & Redbridge.[31] However, Burchill left after the 2008–09 season.[32] Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies had tried to sign Burchill in 2008 when the player chose to join Rotherham. In July 2009 Burchill joined the Scottish Premier League team in Italy for pre-season training, was reported to be "looking very sharp",[33] and signed a one-year deal with the club in August.[34] He injured his Achilles tendon in a friendly match against Burnley, an injury which eventually required surgery,[35] and resumed training in mid-October.[36] He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Hibernian on 12 December 2009.[37]
Enosis Neon Paralimni and Esan United
[edit]Burchill became a free agent after his contract with Kilmarnock expired. On 1 September 2010 Burchill, having received several offers to move abroad, agreed to sign for Cypriot First Division side Enosis Neon Paralimni.
International career
[edit]In October 1999, Burchil made his debut for the senior side as 79th minute substitute in European Championship Qualifier against Bosnia And Herzegovina. His first start came later than month in a 3–0 win against Lithuania.
He appeared as a substitute in both matches against England in the playoffs for the 2000 UEFA European Football Championship.
In total he played for Scotland on 6 occasions with his final appearance coming in April 2000 in a friendly against The Netherlands.[38]
Coaching career
[edit]On 25 March 2013, Burchill was named as a player/assistant manager of his home town club Livingston with Richie Burke to become the manager.[39] However, Burchill was not eligible to play during the end of season 2012–13 due to international clearance not being received on time. He made his competitive debut for Livingston on 27 July 2013 in a Scottish Challenge Cup match against Berwick Rangers.[40]
Burchill was appointed caretaker manager of Livingston in December 2014.[41] As manager he led the club to success in the 2014–15 Scottish Challenge Cup and also saved the side's Scottish Championship status on the final day.[42] Midway through the following season, Burchill was sacked with the club sitting second bottom in the Championship.[42]
After his departure from Livingston, he worked as chief scout at AFC Bournemouth.[43] When technical director Richard Hughes moved to Liverpool prior to the 2024–25 season, Burchill followed him to join the club's scouting team.[44]
Personal life
[edit]His father's cousin is the Simple Minds musician Charlie Burchill.[45]
Burchill's daughter, Tiree Burchill, is a Scottish youth international with caps at U15, U16, U17 and U19 levels;[46] as of July 2025[update], she was playing for Hibs.[47][48]
Managerial statistics
[edit]As of 19 December 2015[update]
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Livingston | December 2014 | December 2015 | 45 | 14 | 8 | 23 | 31.11 | |
- Statistics include games as caretaker before permanent appointment.
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Mark Burchill". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Striker Signs for the Millers". Rotherham United F.C. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Scotland U21 Player Mark Burchill Details". fitbastats.com.
- ^ "Brown worried by Old Firm game". The Independent. 26 August 2000. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Burchill joins Birmingham". BBC Sport. 22 September 2000. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Birmingham 2–0 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 23 September 2000. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Mark Burchill". Soccerbase. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Burchill's City move is dead". BBC Sport. 22 December 2000. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Burchill completes Ipswich deal". BBC Sport. 22 February 2001. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Reuser brace stuns Bantams". BBC Sport. 4 March 2001. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
- ^ Bateman, Stephen (24 August 2001). "Pompey Finally Close Burchill Deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Games played by Mark Burchill in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ Lyon, Sam (29 August 2001). "Prosinecki is as big a genius as Moravcik; says Mark Burchill". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 September 2010 – via The Free Library (Farlex).
- ^ Stewart, Colin (22 September 2001). "Burchill's season over after training accident". The Scotsman. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Pompey will sell Burchill". BBC Sport. 26 December 2002. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Games played by Mark Burchill in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ "Dundee land Burchill". BBC Sport. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ Gordon, Phil (1 June 2003). "Amoruso lands the treble for Rangers". The Independent on Sunday. p. 6. Retrieved 12 August 2021 – via Gale OneFile: News.
- ^ "Burchill seals Wigan deal". BBC Sport. 20 August 2003. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ Goss, Patrick (24 December 2003). "Owls swoop for Burchill". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ Fudge, Simon (22 September 2003). "Burchill returns to Fratton Park". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Iron Willed". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 20 January 2004. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Rotherham 2–3 Crewe". BBC Sport. 27 September 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
- ^ "Burchill forced to leave Millers". BBC Sport. 18 October 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "De Zeeuw injury confirmed". BBC Sport. 14 September 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Hearts are next stop for Burchill". BBC Sport. 29 January 2005. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Dunfermline sign striker Burchill". BBC Sport. 6 July 2005. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Burchill signs contract extension". BBC Sport. 22 December 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Burchill, Simmons to leave Pars". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Striker Burchill joins Rotherham". BBC Sport. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Dagenham and Redbridge 1 Rotherham United 1". The Yorkshire Post. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Millers release striker Burchill". BBC Sport. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ Wright, Angus (29 July 2009). "Burchill on verge of joining Kilmarnock". The Scotsman. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "Killie Net New Striker". Kilmarnock F.C. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "Kilmarnock crock Mark Burchill set for surgery". Daily Record. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "Burchill back in training". Sky Sports. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
- ^ "Kilmarnock 1–1 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ^ "Mark Burchil". Scottish FA. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ^ "Livingston appoint new management team". Livingston F.C. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ "Berwick Rangers 3-2 Livingston (aet)". BBC Sport. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ Manager John McGlynn departs Livingston 'by mutual consent', BBC Sport
- ^ a b "Livingston sack manager Mark Burchill". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ Lusby, Jack (21 March 2024). "Liverpool set to poach Bournemouth again for another key staff member". This is Anfield. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Liverpool director of scouting and recruitment Dave Fallows to leave the club". The Athletic. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "BBC Radio Scotland – Saturday Supplement". bbc.co.uk.[dead link]
- ^ "Tiree Burchill: Women's U16 Squad". Scottish FA. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ Carson, Callum (7 June 2021). "West Lothian teenager Tiree Burchill makes Celtic Women's debut in season-ending win over Motherwell". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "MacDonald names squad for Wales double-header". Scottish FA. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
External links
[edit]- Mark Burchill at Soccerbase
- Profile at londonhearts.com
Mark Burchill
View on GrokipediaClub career
Celtic
Mark Burchill, a promising young striker from Broxburn, Scotland, joined Celtic's youth setup after being spotted in local schools football and progressed through the academy before signing his first professional contract with the club on 3 June 1997.[7] His development at Celtic emphasized his speed and finishing ability, earning him a breakthrough into the senior squad under manager Jozef Venglos. Burchill made his professional debut during the 1998–99 season, appearing as a substitute in a Scottish League Cup match against Airdrieonians on 19 August 1998, though Celtic suffered a 1–0 defeat.[8] Over the following three seasons (1998–2001), he became fully integrated into the first team, making 50 appearances and scoring 20 goals across all competitions, often coming off the bench to impactful effect in the Scottish Premier League.[7] A highlight came in the 1999–2000 campaign, where he netted 11 league goals and contributed in European fixtures, showcasing his potential as a clinical finisher alongside established forwards like Henrik Larsson. One of Burchill's most memorable moments occurred in the 2000–01 UEFA Cup qualifying round against Jeunesse Esch on 24 August 2000, when he scored a hat-trick in just three minutes (12th, 14th, and 15th minutes), the fastest in UEFA club competition history at the time, helping Celtic to a 7–0 victory and an 11–0 aggregate win.[9] Later that season, with opportunities limited by the arrival of high-profile signings, he was loaned to Birmingham City in September 2000 for three months, where he made 13 appearances and scored 4 goals in the English First Division.[10] In February 2001, he joined Ipswich Town on a three-month loan, making 7 appearances and scoring 1 goal in the Premier League.[11] Amid high expectations as one of Scotland's brightest young talents, Burchill departed Celtic permanently in August 2001, transferring to Portsmouth for a fee of £600,000.[12]Portsmouth
Mark Burchill transferred to Portsmouth from Celtic on 24 August 2001 for a fee of £600,000.[12] The move represented a significant investment in the 21-year-old striker, who had shown prolific form in limited appearances at Celtic.[7] Burchill made a promising start at Fratton Park, scoring twice in a 3-1 league win over Swindon Town in his second appearance for the club.[13] However, his time at Portsmouth was quickly overshadowed by injuries, beginning with a serious cruciate knee ligament tear sustained in a training collision just weeks after his arrival, which sidelined him for nine months.[14] Further setbacks, including additional knee ligament issues and hamstring problems, restricted him to just 24 league appearances and 5 goals across his four seasons with the club from 2001 to 2005.[15] Including cup competitions, he featured in approximately 35 matches and netted 8 goals in total, though he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.[16] Despite the disruptions, Burchill contributed to Portsmouth's successful 2002–03 First Division title win and promotion to the Premier League, appearing in 18 league games that season—primarily as a substitute—and scoring 3 goals during the campaign's decisive run-in.[15] His efforts helped secure the club's return to the top flight after 15 years, with notable substitute cameos providing attacking depth in key fixtures.[12] Ongoing fitness concerns led to several loan spells during his Portsmouth tenure to regain form and match sharpness. In February 2003, he joined Dundee on a season-ending loan, where he made 11 appearances and scored 2 goals, including contributions that aided their progression to the Scottish Cup Final, though they lost 1-0 to Rangers. Later that year, in August 2003, Burchill moved to Wigan Athletic on a short-term loan, featuring in 4 First Division matches without scoring but providing support in their push for promotion; a highlight was his assist in a 2-1 win over Derby County.[7] In September 2004, he joined Rotherham United on loan, making 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal in the Championship. These outings, totaling limited minutes across all loans, underscored his persistent battle for consistency amid recovery from injury. Burchill's inability to overcome recurring injuries and secure a consistent starting role, combined with Portsmouth's transition to the Premier League, culminated in his release on a free transfer in January 2005 after three and a half years at the club.[17] He cited the cumulative toll of his cruciate damage and subsequent issues as major factors in his limited impact at Fratton Park.[17]Hearts and Dunfermline Athletic
In January 2005, Burchill returned to Scottish football by joining Heart of Midlothian on a free transfer from Portsmouth, where he had struggled with injuries and limited playing time.[18] He quickly integrated into the squad under manager John Levein, making his debut in a 1-0 league win over Aberdeen on 29 January. Over the remainder of the 2004–05 Scottish Premier League season, Burchill featured in 17 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals, including strikes against Rangers, Livingston, and Celtic in the league, as well as one in the League Cup semi-final against Motherwell.[19] His contributions helped Hearts secure a third-place finish, earning qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, though he often came off the bench and faced competition from established forwards like Lee Miller.[20] Burchill appeared in both Edinburgh derbies that season against Hibernian, providing assists and key involvement in attacks during the 1-2 and 2-2 draws, though he did not score in those fixtures. Despite his positive impact, Hearts offered him only a one-year contract extension at the end of the season, which he turned down amid reported disagreements over terms.[21] This led to his departure from Tynecastle in May 2005 after just five months, as he sought greater stability following his turbulent spell in England. In July 2005, Burchill signed a two-year contract with Dunfermline Athletic on a free transfer, reuniting with former Ipswich manager Joe Dudgeon and aiming to revive his scoring form in a familiar Scottish setting.[22] During the 2005–06 season, he emerged as the club's top scorer with 12 goals in 31 Scottish Premier League appearances, including crucial efforts in matches against Gretna and Hibernian that aided their survival push.[23] His goals were instrumental in Dunfermline finishing 11th and avoiding relegation by three points, marking a significant resurgence for Burchill after inconsistent prior years. He departed Dunfermline in 2008 after three seasons, having made over 80 appearances in total for the club.[20]Rotherham United and Kilmarnock
In the summer of 2008, Burchill signed a two-year contract with Rotherham United on a free transfer from Dunfermline Athletic.[24] During the 2008–09 League Two season, he featured in 24 matches, scoring 5 goals, often providing a focal point in attack amid a turbulent campaign for the club.[1] Rotherham endured severe financial difficulties, including entry into administration and a subsequent 17-point deduction for exiting it without a Company Voluntary Arrangement, which severely hampered their promotion aspirations and left them scrapping for survival.[25] Despite these setbacks, the team finished 16th, with Burchill's contributions helping to stabilize the forward line during a period of uncertainty. Seeking a return to familiar surroundings in Scotland, Burchill joined Kilmarnock on a free transfer in July 2009, initially on a contract until January before extending to a full year.[26] His prior experience with Hearts had impressed Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies, who had previously attempted to sign him. In the 2009–10 Scottish Premier League season, Burchill made 15 league appearances and netted 1 goal, including a notable equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Hibernian in December 2009.[1][27] Operating as a versatile forward, he contributed to Kilmarnock's gritty mid-table campaign, where the team amassed 33 points to secure 11th place and avoid relegation on the final day with a goalless draw against St Mirren.[28] Burchill's contract expired at the end of the season, leading to his release as a free agent in June 2010.[29]Enosis Neon Paralimni and Esan United
After being released by Kilmarnock at the end of the 2009–10 season, Burchill sought opportunities abroad to regain consistent playing time following limited appearances in Scotland. On 1 September 2010, he signed a two-year contract with Cypriot First Division club Enosis Neon Paralimni, attracted by the chance to play regularly in a competitive league.[29] During his debut match on 28 November 2010, a 2–2 draw against Ethnikos Achna, Burchill scored his first goal for the club with an overhead kick after controlling a long ball, marking an impressive start to his time in Cyprus.[30][31] Over two seasons with Enosis (2010–11 and 2011–12), Burchill made 45 appearances and scored 7 goals in the Cypriot First Division, contributing to the team's mid-table finishes while adapting to a more defensively oriented style of play under coach Cedomir Janevski.[32] The move presented challenges, including adjusting to innovative training methods and a tactical emphasis on structure over prolific scoring, which influenced Burchill's later coaching approach but limited his goal output compared to earlier career highs.[33] His modest form at Kilmarnock had initially drawn interest from overseas clubs seeking experienced forwards. Despite these efforts, Burchill's contract ended in July 2012 without leading to a major revival in his playing career. Seeking further opportunities abroad, Burchill joined Thai Premier League side Esan United in August 2012 on a one-year deal, relocating to Sisaket in north-east Thailand to continue his professional playing days.[34] His stint was brief, featuring in just 2 matches where he scored 1 goal, though he settled quickly and netted regularly in training and early games before the arrangement was cut short.[32] Adaptation to the Thai league's counter-attacking mentality proved demanding, but the experience provided diverse insights into foreign football cultures.[33] In March 2013, Burchill returned to Scotland without securing another top-level contract abroad, entering a playing hiatus until rejoining Livingston later that year.[34]Livingston
Burchill joined Livingston on 25 March 2013 as a player-assistant manager under Richie Burke.[35] Over his time at the club, he made 31 appearances and scored 3 goals in the Scottish Championship, continuing his playing career until his retirement in 2015.[29]International career
Youth international career
Burchill was first selected for the Scotland under-19 team in the late 1990s, making two appearances without scoring during the 1999 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers.[36] He progressed to the under-21 level, earning his debut in 1999 and accumulating 15 caps with 6 goals between 1998 and 2001.[36][37] Burchill featured in Scotland's under-21 squad during the qualifiers for the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, though the team did not advance to the finals. One of his notable contributions came in a 3–1 qualifying victory over Latvia on 1 September 2000 for the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he scored to help secure the win.[38] As a promising striker, Burchill's goal-scoring form at youth international level mirrored his emerging performances in Celtic's first team, establishing him as a key attacking prospect for Scotland.[37]Senior international career
Mark Burchill earned his first call-up to the Scotland senior national team in late 1999, following a strong start to his professional career at Celtic where he scored prolifically in limited appearances.[39] His full international debut came on 5 October 1999, as a substitute in a 1-0 UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at Hampden Park, where John Collins scored from the penalty spot.[23] Burchill went on to make six appearances for Scotland between 1999 and 2000, all as a forward, though he did not score in any of them.[5] His early caps included key qualification matches for Euro 2000. On 9 October 1999, he started in a 3-0 win against Lithuania, with goals from Don Hutchison, Gary McSwegan, and Colin Cameron securing Scotland's play-off spot.[23] Burchill then played in both legs of the play-off against England in November 1999: a 2-0 home defeat on 13 November and a 1-0 away victory on 17 November, where Don Hutchison's goal gave Scotland a slim aggregate lead before they were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate.[23] These outings highlighted his potential as a rapid, direct striker, though he was often used from the bench.[40] Burchill's final two caps came in friendlies the following year. He appeared as a substitute in a 0-2 loss to France on 29 March 2000 at Hampden Park, facing a strong side including Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, and then substituted in a goalless draw against the Netherlands on 26 April 2000 in Arnhem.[23] These were his last international appearances, as his subsequent transfer to Portsmouth in August 2001 marked the end of his senior Scotland involvement.[29]| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1999 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1–0 | Euro 2000 Qualifier | Substitute |
| 9 Oct 1999 | Lithuania | 3–0 | Euro 2000 Qualifier | Starter |
| 13 Nov 1999 | England | 0–2 | Euro 2000 Play-off | Substitute |
| 17 Nov 1999 | England | 1–0 | Euro 2000 Play-off | Substitute |
| 29 Mar 2000 | France | 0–2 | Friendly | Substitute |
| 26 Apr 2000 | Netherlands | 0–0 | Friendly | Substitute |
Coaching career
Livingston
In December 2014, Mark Burchill was promoted from player-assistant manager to caretaker head coach of Livingston following John McGlynn's departure by mutual consent, taking charge at the age of 34 in the Scottish Championship.[42] Having joined the club as a player the previous year, this role built on his growing involvement in the coaching setup.[43] After guiding the team to success in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Burchill signed a two-year contract as permanent manager in the summer of 2015.[44] Burchill's most notable achievement came in the 2014–15 Scottish Challenge Cup, where he led Livingston to their first-ever victory in the competition. The team defeated Alloa Athletic 4–0 in the final on 5 April 2015 at McDiarmid Park, with goals from Scott Pittman, Callum Fordyce, and a brace by Myles Storey.[45] Key matches in the run included a 4–1 second-round win over Heart of Midlothian and a 1–1 semi-final triumph against Stranraer (5–4 on penalties), showcasing Burchill's ability to blend defensive solidity with counter-attacking threat.[46][47] This triumph provided a highlight amid league challenges and boosted squad morale. In the league, Livingston finished 8th in the 2014–15 Scottish Championship under Burchill's guidance, securing a mid-to-lower table position with 8 wins, 8 draws, and 20 losses from 36 matches (27 points after a 5-point deduction for insolvency issues).[48] Burchill emphasized a pragmatic tactical approach, often deploying a compact 4-4-2 formation to develop a youthful squad featuring emerging talents like Storey and Pittman, prioritizing resilience and transition play over possession dominance. During his full tenure from December 2014 to December 2015, he oversaw 45 matches with 14 wins, achieving an overall win percentage of 31.11%.[2] Burchill's time in charge ended on 21 December 2015 when he was sacked after a poor run of form left Livingston second-bottom in the Championship, part of broader club efforts to address performance issues.[49] Following his dismissal, he took up an assistant manager role at Slovan Bratislava from July 2016 to June 2018 before transitioning to a scouting role at AFC Bournemouth.[2]Bournemouth and Liverpool
Following his time at Slovan Bratislava, Burchill joined the scouting staff at AFC Bournemouth in 2016 (initially overlapping), at the invitation of manager Eddie Howe, a former teammate from their time at Portsmouth.[50][51] In this role, he focused on identifying talent across the UK and Europe, contributing to the club's recruitment strategy during their establishment in the Premier League after promotion in 2015.[52] Burchill was promoted to chief scout in August 2019 and played a pivotal part in Bournemouth's sustained top-flight presence through the 2015–2020 period.[2] His scouting reports were instrumental in several key signings, including Nathan Aké from Chelsea in 2017, David Brooks from Sheffield United in 2018, and Philip Billing from Huddersfield Town in 2019, players who significantly appreciated in value and helped stabilize the squad amid financial constraints.[52][3] In March 2024, Burchill moved to Liverpool FC's scouting team ahead of the 2024–25 season, recruited by incoming sporting director Richard Hughes as part of a broader staff transition from Bournemouth.[52][3] At Anfield, he serves as head of technical scouting, analyzing youth and first-team prospects as part of the recruitment team, including chief scout Barry Hunter.[53] As of November 2025, Burchill remains an integral part of Liverpool's recruitment network, supporting the club's ongoing talent identification efforts.[54][6]Personal life
Family background
Mark Burchill was born on 18 August 1980 in Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland.[39][29] Standing at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), Burchill played as a striker throughout his professional career.[29][39] He is the nephew of Charlie Burchill, the guitarist and founding member of the Scottish rock band Simple Minds.[55][56]Daughter's career
After retiring from playing in 2015, Burchill returned to Scotland and later coached abroad and in England, while maintaining family ties there with his wife and daughter, Tiree Burchill (born 17 February 2005). He has emphasized a supportive environment for his daughter's football pursuits, drawing from his own experiences without direct involvement in her training.[57][58] Tiree Burchill has emerged as a promising forward in Scottish women's football, earning youth international caps for Scotland at U15, U16, U17, U19, and U23 levels. In July 2025, at age 20, she signed a one-year deal with Hibernian Women in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL), following a season at Partick Thistle and prior youth development at Hibernian Academy and Celtic. She made her senior debut for Hibs on August 17, 2025, and scored her first two goals for the club on August 22, 2025, in a 5-0 league win over Partick Thistle during her first start, contributing to Hibs' strong early-season form as defending SWPL champions.[59][60][61][62] Burchill has actively supported Tiree's career by sharing tactical insights and lessons from his time at Celtic and with Scotland, helping her navigate challenges like balancing elite gymnastics with football in her youth. Tiree has credited her father's guidance for boosting her confidence, aiming to surpass his achievements while appreciating the parallels in their paths through Scottish football.[63][64][65]Career statistics
Club statistics
Mark Burchill's club career spanned multiple leagues in Scotland, England, Cyprus, and Thailand, where he accumulated 357 appearances and 84 goals in senior football. These totals encompass all competitive matches, including domestic leagues, cups, and European competitions, with loan spells attributed to the clubs where he featured.[66] His statistics are broken down by club below, focusing on key periods and totals. Note that figures include league, cup, and European games unless specified otherwise.Celtic (1997–2001)
Burchill began his professional career at Celtic, making 52 appearances and scoring 21 goals primarily in the Scottish Premier League during the 1997–2000 seasons. He also featured in European competitions, notably scoring a hat-trick in just three minutes against Jeunesse Esch in a 2000 UEFA Cup qualifier, contributing to a 7–0 victory.[9][67]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Scottish Premier League | 5 | 2 |
| 1998–99 | Scottish Premier League | 14 | 7 |
| 1999–00 | Scottish Premier League | 23 | 9 |
| 1999–00 | UEFA Cup | 3 | 3 |
| 2000–01 | Scottish Premier League / Cups | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 52 | 21 |
Portsmouth (2001–2005)
During his time at Portsmouth, including their promotion to the Premier League, Burchill recorded 26 appearances and 8 goals, mainly in the English First Division (now Championship) across the 2001–03 seasons, with additional cup outings. Loans to other clubs during this parent spell are listed separately.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | First Division | 12 | 4 |
| 2002–03 | First Division | 12 | 4 |
| 2003–04 | Premier League / Cups | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 8 |
Hearts (2005)
Burchill joined Hearts mid-season in 2005, contributing 17 appearances and 4 goals in the Scottish Premier League and cups before moving on.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Scottish Premier League / Cups | 17 | 4 |
| Total | 17 | 4 |
Dunfermline Athletic (2005–2008)
At Dunfermline, Burchill made 91 appearances and scored 26 goals across all competitions from 2005 to 2008.[66][68]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Scottish Premier League / Cups | 36 | 16 |
| 2006–07 | Scottish Premier League / Cups | 32 | 6 |
| 2007–08 | Scottish First Division / Cups | 23 | 4 |
| Total | 91 | 26 |
Rotherham United (2004–2009, loans and permanent)
Burchill had spells at Rotherham, totaling 31 appearances and 6 goals in English League One and cups during 2004–09, including short loan periods.[66]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 (loan) | League One / Cups | 5 | 1 |
| 2008–09 (permanent) | League Two / Cups | 26 | 5 |
| Total | 31 | 6 |
Kilmarnock (2009–2010)
In his single season at Kilmarnock, Burchill made 16 appearances and scored 1 goal in the Scottish Premier League and cups.[66][1]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | Scottish Premier League / Cups | 16 | 1 |
| Total | 16 | 1 |
Enosis Neon Paralimni (2011–2012)
Burchill played in the Cypriot First Division for Enosis, recording 45 appearances and 8 goals over two seasons.[66]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Cypriot First Division | 25 | 5 |
| 2011–12 | Cypriot First Division | 20 | 3 |
| Total | 45 | 8 |
Esan (brief spell, 2012)
Burchill had a short stint with Esan United (also known as Sisaket FC) in the Thai Premier League, making 4 appearances without scoring.[69]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Thai Premier League | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
Livingston (2013–2015)
Burchill ended his playing career at Livingston, with 37 appearances and 3 goals in the Scottish Championship and cups during 2013–15.[66][68]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Scottish Championship / Cups | 23 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | Scottish Championship / Cups | 14 | 1 |
| Total | 37 | 3 |
International statistics
Mark Burchill earned caps for Scotland at both youth and senior levels during his early career. At the youth level, he made 2 appearances for the Scotland U19 team without scoring, and accumulated 15 caps for the Scotland U21 team, netting 6 goals between 1998 and 2001.[70][71] For the senior team, Burchill won 6 caps between 1999 and 2000, scoring no goals.[5][23] The following table details Burchill's senior international appearances, broken down by date, opponent, match type, result from Scotland's perspective, and goals scored by him.| Date | Opponent | Match Type | Result | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 October 1999 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Euro 2000 Qualifier | 1–0 W | 0 |
| 9 October 1999 | Lithuania | Euro 2000 Qualifier | 3–0 W | 0 |
| 13 November 1999 | England | Euro 2000 Play-off | 0–2 L | 0 |
| 17 November 1999 | England | Euro 2000 Play-off | 0–1 L | 0 |
| 29 March 2000 | France | Friendly | 0–2 L | 0 |
| 26 April 2000 | Netherlands | Friendly | 0–0 D | 0 |
Managerial statistics
Burchill's sole managerial role came at Livingston, where he was appointed caretaker manager on 16 December 2014 following Richie Burke's dismissal, transitioning directly from his position as a player-coach at the club.[2] His tenure lasted until his sacking on 21 December 2015, during which he oversaw 45 matches in total across all competitions.[73] In these games, Livingston recorded 14 wins, 8 draws, and 23 losses, yielding a win rate of 31.11% and an average of 1.11 points per game.[73] Following his dismissal, Burchill shifted focus to scouting, joining Portsmouth before moving to Liverpool in 2024.[74][75] Burchill's time in charge was marked by a mix of cup triumph and league struggles in the Scottish Championship. In the 2014–15 season, he guided Livingston to their first Scottish Challenge Cup title, culminating in a 4–0 victory over Alloa Athletic in the final on 5 April 2015 at McDiarmid Park.[45] This success provided a highlight amid a challenging campaign, as the team avoided relegation with a strong late run, winning four and drawing one of their final six league matches.[76] The 2015–16 season proved tougher, with Livingston languishing near the bottom of the Championship at the time of his departure, having secured just two wins in their last 10 league games.[76]| Aspect | Total |
|---|---|
| Games managed | 45 |
| Wins | 14 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Losses | 23 |
| Win rate | 31.11% |
| Points per game | 1.11 |
